Magcargo Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Magcargo in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Magcargo
Magcargo is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Fire/Rock typing. The best counter is Primal Groudon (Mega) with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades, dealing 54.500 DPS.
Magcargo can be defeated by a minimum of 2 trainers using optimal counters at level 40+. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win, especially if your team isn't fully powered up.
Type strategy: Magcargo is weak to Ground (double weak!), Water (double weak!), Fighting, Rock -type attacks. Avoid using Fire, Bug, Fairy-type moves as Magcargo resists them. Focus your team on the highest DPS counters from the list below — even budget options without Shadow or Mega forms perform well in larger groups.
Top 3 counters: The strongest lineup against Magcargo is Primal Groudon (54.500 DPS), Primal Kyogre (54.303 DPS), and Shadow Groudon (50.000 DPS).
Catching Magcargo: After defeating Magcargo, the catch encounter will have a CP between 936 and 996 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 1165-1240 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Magcargo from raids will have exactly 996 CP — look for that number! Use Golden Razz Berries and Excellent curveball throws to maximize your catch rate.
Quick Stats
Weak To
Best Counters
Budget Counters (No Shadow / No Mega)
Catch CP
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best counters for Magcargo?
The best counter for Magcargo is Primal Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades, dealing 54.500 DPS. Other top options include Primal Kyogre (54.303 DPS) and Shadow Groudon (50.000 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Magcargo?
Magcargo can be defeated by a minimum of 2 high-level trainers with optimal counters. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win. In public lobbies, 5-6 is a safe number.
What is Magcargo weak to?
Magcargo is weak to Ground (double weak), Water (double weak), Fighting, Rock-type attacks. It resists Fire, Bug, Fairy, Flying, Ice, Normal, Poison-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Magcargo be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Magcargo's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Magcargo from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Magcargo from raids will have 996 CP at level 20, or 1240 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 936. If you see 996 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Magcargo worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Magcargo is a lower-tier raid boss that can be soloed or defeated easily with 1-2 trainers. It's useful for farming candy, earning XP, and potentially getting a high-IV specimen. Worth doing when convenient, but doesn't require spending Premium Passes.
What is the best moveset for Magcargo?
For the best moveset for Magcargo itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Magcargo stats page which includes optimal fast and charged move combinations for both PvE raids and PvP GO Battle League, along with DPS calculations and PvP rankings.
Can I beat Magcargo without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Magcargo can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Landorus (Therian) (47.182 DPS) and Kyogre (42.182 DPS). You may need 5-6 trainers instead of the minimum 2 when using budget teams. Check the Budget Counters section above for the full F2P-friendly list.
What weather boosts Magcargo in raids?
Weather boost information for Magcargo is not currently available. Fire-type Pokemon are typically boosted in specific weather conditions. When weather boosted, the raid is harder but the catch encounter is level 25 with higher CP.